Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone made a strong impression in her 100m debut on Sunday at the Grand Slam Track meet in Philadelphia, clocking 11.21 seconds to finish second in her first professional flat sprint over the distance.
The four-time Olympic champion and world record holder in the 400m hurdles stepped outside her usual event and held her own, but was edged out by Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent, who crossed the line first in 11.11 seconds. Nugent completed a weekend double, having also won Saturday’s 100m hurdles to top the women’s short hurdles group with a perfect 24 points.
In another standout performance, American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden blazed to a 10.73-second finish in the women’s 100m, securing the short sprints group title with 24 points following her 200m win the day before.
Dominican star Marileidy Paulino dominated the women’s long sprints group, adding to her 400m victory with a win in the 200m in 22.46 seconds to secure a clean sweep.
Great Britain’s Lina Nielsen turned heads in the 400m hurdles, winning in 52.60 seconds, while Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji took the women’s 800m in a solid 1:58.94.
On the men’s side, American Kenny Bednarek stole the spotlight in the 100m, running a personal-best 9.86 seconds to win the event and claim 24 points in the short sprints group.
Olympic silver medallist Josh Kerr of Great Britain outpaced Olympic champion Cole Hocker in a dramatic 1500m finish, winning by just 0.07 seconds in 3:34.44.
American Trevor Bassitt brought late-race drama in the men’s 400m hurdles, surging past Alison dos Santos and Chris Robinson to win in 45.47 seconds and clinch the men’s long hurdles group with 20 points.
Additional victories went to Americans Trey Cunningham in the men’s 100m hurdles (10.36 seconds), and Nico Young, who claimed the men’s 3000m in his Grand Slam Track debut. Dominican Alexander Ogando topped the men’s 200m with a winning time of 20.13 seconds.
The Grand Slam Track series will conclude with its final meet in Los Angeles from June 27 to 29.
